Kaunas got the letter “K” as a gift!

Kaunas got the letter “K” as a gift!

And it’s not just a letter, it’s a multifunctional spatial sculpture. “K-Totem becomes a space of expression for local creators – graphic designers and illustrators. The idea was born out of a cultural collaboration between two members of the UNESCO Network of Cities of Design, two cities: the “K” – Kortrijk (Belgium) and Kaunas. Kortrijk, which is aiming to become the European Capital of Culture in 2030, is donating to Kaunas a three-dimensional sculpture of the letter “K”, whose visual design will be constantly updated in the city, thus allowing as many local artists as possible to showcase themselves.
The Founding Seimas Square was chosen for this sculpture because of its exceptional accessibility for both drivers and pedestrians for Kaunas residents and visitors. It is one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares and is constantly in motion. “K Totem has organically blended into the square and complemented its elements. Now everyone can see the K-Totem when driving or passing by and enjoy the beautiful friendship between Lithuanians and Flanders.
Kaunas artists will be invited to create the visual design of the spatial sculpture. The visual content is planned to be updated 2-3 times a year, thus allowing as many local creators as possible to present their work to the public. It is also planned to organize a design exchange with the City of Kortrijk, whereby the visuals created by Kortrijk creators would be displayed on the K-Totem sculpture installed in Kaunas and the visuals created by Kaunas creators on the spatial sculpture in Kortrijk, thus publicizing the identity of the design city and the collaboration between the two cities.
The designer Tadas Bujanauskas, the author of the first sculpture, which is currently on K-Totem, says that since this K-Totem sculpture is dedicated to Kaunas and is part of the Kaunas 2022 project, the symbols of Kaunas appearing on the sculpture seemed to be the most logical solution, and the one that is closest and most interesting to the citizens of Kaunas. Seeing them, finding them, and thinking about where they are in the city becomes a kind of game for adults and children alike. As far as the colors are concerned, the idea was to make the sculpture look as lively as possible in this dark period.
The delegations from Kortrijk and Kaunas met at the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) – both cities belong to the UNESCO Creative Cities Design Area.